Registration: Interim

Interim 2008

Communication Arts & Sciences

CANCELED W10 Filmmakers Under Censorship. This course will examine four different groups of filmmakers who have had to work under various types of censorship: the directors of American screwball comedies under the Hayes Code, Chinese directors during the 1980’s and 90’s, and Indian and Iranian directors of the 1990’s to the present. In each of these cases, filmmakers have managed to produce an excellent body of work despite (and possibly because of) the pressures of censorship. Students will examine a variety of questions relating to this topic as we view films by all of these filmmakers. Why in some situations (the Cultural Revolution in China) does censorship produce propaganda movies while in other situations, filmmakers seem to blossom? What do these groups of censors (Christian, Communist, and Hindi/Muslim) have in common? Why would they more or less censor the same things (sex, violence, criticism of the government) that many American Christians would? Does having limitations actually benefit artists in some ways? Evaluation is based on class participation, short response papers, and a final exam. P. Goetz. 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

W11 Communication Research. This course is designed to improve critical thinking and research skills. It exposes students to the logic and conduct of research aimed at producing generalizable knowledge about human communication enabling students to find, read, understand, use and conduct communication research in their daily work. The nature and conduct of communication inquiry, significant questions about communication and finding systematic answers are explored from a social scientific perspective. The course introduces students to the logic of systematic investigation and to research methods common to the field of communication. Topics will cover how to use library resources to inform communication practice, how to conduct focus groups, interviews, surveys, and experiments, and how to read and understand basic statistics. Student learning is evaluated by two exams, and participation on a class research project. P. Spence. 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

W40 English Language by Rail. Students explore the dialects of the English Language within a historical context. While in Great Britain, students travel by rail through different regions, collecting samples of English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish dialects and visiting important linguistic sites.. By collecting samples from each of these regions, students learn about the history of English as it is spoken in Great Britain and Ireland as well as in the United States. Students must write a paper that summarizes their readings, analyses of data, and interviews in each region. Students are evaluated on the quality of their papers, presentations, transcriptions and discussions. This course may fulfill an elective requirement in the CAS major. This course will fulfill the CCE core requirement. Course dates are May 19 - June 5. Fee: $3,595. P. Goetz, J. Vander Woude. Off campus.

W41 Jane Austen and Film. Since 1995, many adaptations of Jane Austen’s novels have appeared in theaters and on television: these range from the Emma-inspired Clueless to the somber Persuasion to the bold Mansfield Park. These films provide a case study in understanding the role of and controversy surrounding film adaptations. Are adaptations true to the novel and author? What does it mean to be “true” to the novel and its author? Should we even compare the novel and its corresponding film? This class will examine some of the most recent and prominent adaptations of Austen’s works, the public response to these films, and the theoretical issues regarding film adaptations of novels. The goal of this course, then, is to broadly understand the relationship between film and novel by looking at the Jane Austen films as a case study. Student work will be evaluated through quizzes over readings, viewing questions, and a final analytical paper. This course may fulfill an elective requirement in the Gender Studies minor. K. Groenendyk. 8:30 a.m. to noon.

W42 Sermons in American History. This course investigates the influence of sermons (by both religious and secular orators) in American history. We will read sermons by a variety of figures (e.g., Jonathan Edwards, William Jennings Bryan, Martin Luther King Jr., Billy Graham) on a variety of issues (e.g., personal conversion, Biblical veracity, slavery, evolution), representing a variety of religious traditions (though mostly Christian), from a variety of historical periods. By studying sermons as efforts to shape Americans' religious experience and their opinions on the issues of the day, students will gain new insights into American religious, cultural, social, and intellectual history. Student learning will be evaluated through an exam, short essays, and class participation. G. Pauley. 8:30 a.m. to noon.

W80 Advanced Avid HD Editing. Students will learn how to use a color correcting sequence, Marquee CG, HD workflow, create multi-layer effects, create motion effects and time warp, learn to manage projects, and perform multi camera editing. As part of this course, Pod casts and DVD creation will be discussed and examples will be created. Students will be evaluated based on hands-on projects utilizing these techniques. This course may fulfill an elective requirement in the Media Production major. Prerequisite: CAS 290 is required so the students have a basic understanding of the techniques required for this course. D. Garcia. 8:30 a.m. to noon.

W81 Broadcast News. This intensive, hands-on class meets from January 12-23. In the first week, Wayne Vriesman (retired General Manager of WGN Radio, Chicago, formerly TV News producer/writer will teach the basics of the broadcast business including news, programming, promotion, engineering and sales. In the second week, Steve Vriesman (chief news editor at KCNC TV, Denver, Emmy award winner in editing, and active member of the NPPA) will teach the technical side of broadcast news, including photography editing, and reporting. Also included will be instruction on how to put together a professional resume tape for broadcast job applications. Student learning will be evaluated by class participation, homework assignments, 2 class tests and desire to learn the basics of broadcast journalism. This course may fulfill an elective requirement in the Media Production/Studies majors. Prerequisites: CAS 190 or consent of Instructor Wayne Vriesman (waynetbc@aol.com ). S. Vriesman, W. Vriesman. 9:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

W82 Advanced Film Directing Workshop. Production students (12 max.) will concentrate on intensive scene work through a variety of classroom exercises and video productions. With a strong emphasis on acting for film/video, blocking, camera movement, and creative communication, students will have the chance to direct, operate camera, and edit in a collaborative setting the reflects the realities of the film industry. Students will explore how camera angle, image size, and actor positioning can impact the effectiveness of a scene. Students will also experiment with storyboarding as well as focus on the differences between acting for stage and acting for camera. Acting students (4 max.) will serve as talent for all in-class exercises and final projects. In addition, all students will have the chance to see a wide range of current short films from the festival circuit. This course may fulfill an elective requirement in the CAS major. Prerequisites: CAS 190* (*the exception being students [4 max.] who wish to work exclusively as actors for the interim. For them, no prerequisite is required). R. Swartzwelder. 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

101 Oral Rhetoric. Students examine the principles of oral and visual rhetoric, with an emphasis on guided practice in the development of effective speeches. The course leads students to understand the role of rhetoric in society, to think critically about rhetorical situations and practices, and to gain proficiency in the art of rhetoric. Students must complete the following: three graded presentations, three short un-graded presentations, a written critique paper, and an exam. M. Steelman-Okenka. 8:30 a.m. to noon.